Burgess, Fraser, & Co.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11828, 27 November 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

Burgess, Fraser, & Co.

GENERAL MERCHANTS AND IMPORTERS.

It should be the ambition of every" provincial district to possess those institutions which are likely to render it independent of outside aid. In Messrs Burgess, Fraser, & Co., New Plymouth has made a step in the right direction {bp encouraging a purely loc ii wholesale firm. Although it is tho only one of its kind, its success during the last few years should stimulate enterprise. When the firm came to New Plymouth from Avcklaud in 1892 the Customs Department was represented by an officer in charge, and Customs returns were nominal. It was; however, soon found necessary to appoint a collector, and, subsequently, further help, and thu returns to-day compare very favourably with those* of any port in tbe colony. In their way local people are conservative, and in 1892, when Messrs Burgess and Fraser came from Auckland and established their present business, they did not think it possible that the venture could be a success. Both Mr C. H. Burgess aqd Mr M. Fraser, however, had a thorough experience of the wholesale trade, and by sedulous attention to business in every detail they gradually demonstrated that their position was a strong one. They proved that they were able to supply the retailer at prices as advantageous as could be done by city warehousemen, and the idea that they were a locfil house and should be encour aged became more pbpular. In recent years a regular and considerable trade has been built up, and the firm aro able to compete on the best of terms with outside wholesalers. Throughout all the country between the Mokau and Hawera their travellers make periodical trips, and by specially studying the require raents of tbe consumers over this area the firm is able to import just what L needed. Tbe original premises of Messrs Burgess, Fraser, & Co. were situated in Devon-street, but when the business became more important they moved to larger buildings in Brougham-street. There they are now to be found, while in addition to the main warehouse they have a large bond-store, and also one of the most pretentious buildings at Wait&ra, where they have a local manager. Their Brougham-street premises are two stories high, immediately at the front downstairs being the offices, aud upstairs and at the rear the warehouse. The lira, carry a very diverse stock of groceries, this being their special line, while they also import American and Continental goods, crockery, confectionery, tobacco They deal only with storekeepers, strictly confining themselves to the wholesale, and heir names are widely known throughout all the country mentioned Two .travellers are constantly on the road, who are able to hold their own against other representatives. Altogether Messrs Burgess, -Fraser and Co. have managed to secure a very substantial connection, storekeepers now recognising that their importations are well suited to Taranaki wants. They have several agencies, timong others being the North Queens land Insurance Company and the Bel ford Flour Mills of Timaru. The success of the firm has been gratifying, and it ithighly satisfactory that New Plymouth is able to support so considerable a house.